Dumbing of Age Book Twelve

Dumbing of Age

A college webcomic by David Willis
RSS
‹
›
  • Home
  • About/Read before posting
  • Archive↓
    • by calendar
  • Cast
  • Store↓
    • Main Store (books and stuff)
    • T-shirts
  • Patreon↓
    • Patreon (regular)
    • Patreon (NSFW)
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
whenever i'm about to get on a plane i think about the last strip i uploaded in case i die in a crash, this one's okay i guess???
First Previous Random 173Comments Share Next Latest
Reddit Digg Facebook MySpace Delicious Stumbleupon Buzz Up! Mixx Technorati Google Bookmarks Yahoo Bookmarks Yahoo MyWeb Windows Live Propeller FriendFeed Newsvine Xanga LinkedIn Blinklist Twitter
Discover more Hiveworks comics
The Automan's Daughter
Mike Stamm
Aisha Osman and her uncle Siddig outwit bikers, spies and kidnappers while gearing up for a showdown with the formidable Widowmaker mecha.
Stand Still, Stay Silent
Minna Sundberg
A few generations after the end of the world, a small, poorly financed research crew is sent out to rediscover whatever is left of the forbidden old world in the south.
Kiwi Blitz
Mary Cagle (Cube Watermelon)
Steffi thinks she can use her kiwi mech to become a superhero. This idea turns out to be very stupid.
Devil's Candy
Rem, Bikkuri
A lush fantasy about boy genius Kazu Decker, the girl he constructed for his 9th grade science project, and the world of devils and monsters they live in.
El Goonish Shive
Dan Shive
WARNING: This comic often ignores the Laws of Physics
Knights Errant
J.R. Doyle
Wilfrid's humble quest for revenge becomes bigger and bloodier by the day.
Between Failures
Jackie Wohlenhaus
The low stakes adventures of an assorted group of 20 somethings trapped in the declining years of American retail. They are naughty and say lots of swears.
Cyanide & Happiness
Explosm
Satire, dark humor and surreal humor.
Cassiopeia Quinn
Gunwild, Psudonym
A cute, pantsless thief is pursued across the stars by a buttoned-up military officer in the spacey, laser-filled future.
Goodbye to Halos
Valerie Halla
Cuddles, gay flirting, weird feelings, and magic-fueled knife fights - it's an adventure across the queer multiverse!
The Sanity Circus
Windy
Magic, monsters and mysteries await in the odd city of Sanity. It's up to Attley and a colorful group of characters to find out just what is going on.
Sufficiently Remarkable
Maki Naro
Two young women living in Brooklyn discover that you're always coming of age.
Cut Time
Juby
Rel and her trusty avian friend Fugue are on a quest to save a world that's lost track of time. Follow them and their new recruits, in a story written with help from the stars.
Ghost Junk Sickness
Studio CARTRIDGE, Laura Lee
Two hunters try to survive and end up being pushed to pursue a deadly bounty dubbed "The Ghost".
Star Impact
Jack McGee
A young, energetic woman fights her way up in the world of super-powered boxing after discovering the mighty gloves of her missing idol!
Whomp!
Ronnie
A depressed, portly, hirsute anime fan stumbles through life in the ever-pursuit of chicken nuggets and other life-shortening indulgences.
Go Get a Roomie
Clover
Experience the queer journey of an upbeat hippie and the friendships she makes along the way! A tale of self-discovery and love of many forms.
The Witch Door
Anni K.
Katariina Lehto discovers her neighbor is a witch called Jousia Muotka. Jousia introduces Katariina to the strange people and places beyond the witch door...
Sister Claire
Yamino
In the troubled aftermath of a great war between Witches and her fellow Nuns, novice Sister Claire just wants a purpose.
Sam & Fuzzy
Sam Logan
Troubled by gangster rodents, lovesick vampire stalkers, or confused ninja assassins? Don't panic! Sam and Fuzzy are here to help. (For a reasonable fee.)
Kochab
Sarah Webb
A YA F/F fantasy comic about Sonya, a lost skier trying to survive a snowy wilderness and find her way back to her village; and Kyra - a fire spirit trying to fix the home that she let fall apart around her.
Astral Aves
Moon Cabal
A fantasy coming-of-age following the adventures of Astra The Black and friends, as they navigate the mysterious world around them. It's politics, adventure, and the supernatural; oh, and crazy hair.
Never Satisfied
Taylor Robin
Lucy Marlowe, a magician's apprentice, competes against other apprentices for an important, magical, Goverment Job.
Tigress Queen
Allison Shaw
A barbarian warlord and a pampered prince try to avoid a marriage alliance that could end decades of violence.
Demon's Mirror
Harry Bogosian
Based loosely off of "The Snow Queen", a story by Hans Christian Andersen, we see things take a different turn as the demons become central characters, and the side characters stick around. Yup, that's the only differences. Enjoy!
Real Science Adventures
Brian Clevinger
Spin off stories and other adventures from the world of Atomic Robo!
Hazy London
Scotty
A story about messy relationships. From friendly foes to crazy families. Nothing is black and white, just full of color. But, all colors can get a little hazy...
Girl Genius
Phil Foglio, Kaja Foglio
In a time when the Industrial Revolution has become an all-out war, Mad Science rules the World...with mixed success.
Anarchy Dreamers
Emily Ree
Sparkly undead kids fight society's worst Nightmares in this pastel-punk urban fantasy coming-of-age!
Godslave
Meaghan Carter
Edith has been thrown into the dangerous world of modern-day Egyptian mythology. Fighting monsters and dealing with family drama of godly proportions.
The Lonely Vincent Bellingham
Diana Huh
Vincent is an unkind man looking to disappear, and finds himself in the care of a vampire and her two wicked children.
Love Not Found
Gina Biggs
Abeille is on a quest to find someone who wants to do it the old-fashioned way in a time when touching has become outdated.
Wychwood
Varethane
When Tiara's pyrokinesis is finally noticed, she is captured by a magical research organization for study. If she cooperates, she could be helping to save humanity from a dire threat - but can she trust them?
Dumbing of Age
David M Willis
Joyce has been homeschooled her entire life until now, when she's suddenly a freshman in college! Things don't go well.
Jailbird
Charlie Davis
An all-ages comic about a recently escaped prisoner's struggle to understand the outside world, and vice-versa. Also, a magic cape!
Guilded Age
T Campbell, John Waltrip, Florence Machina
Welcome to the saga of the working-class adventurer! Enjoy the complete story with new annotations daily!
Wilde Life
Pascalle Lepas
Oscar decided to rent an old haunted house, and that's when things got weird...
Monster Pulse
Magnolia Porter Siddell
Four kids run afoul of a creepy secret organization's experiments, which turn their body parts into fighting monsters. Part sentimental coming-of-age story, part monster-training shonen manga, with just a bit of sci-fi body horror.
Starhammer
J.N. Monk, Harry Bogosian
A teen girl inherits a powerful alien artifact and proceeds to make a series of increasingly poor decisions
Nerf Now!!
Josué Pereira
A cute webcomic about fanservice, video games, and... love. Mostly video games, though.
Fireweeds Moors
Gato Iberico
A cat-headed man and a girl with a sandwich hankering accidentally end up in a myth-infused country where magic chalices are a really big thing.
Monsterkind
Taylor C
Wallace Foster, a young, bright-eyed human social worker, has his entire world view rocked when he's suddenly relocated into a city primarily inhabited by monsters.
[un]Divine
Ayme
A highschool senior thought giving up his soul for a demon was a good idea. It wasn't.
Star Trip
Gisele Weaver
Jas is a human taken from her home planet on a trip across the galaxy she will never forget.
Caramel Corn
Potchimew
Sarah is the only human left in a world full of mythical creatures and monsters. All she wants to do is live a quiet life, but everything changes when she meets her guardian angel, Jacob.
Paranatural
Zack Morrison
Superpowered middle schoolers fight evil spirits in their rural hometown. Come for the jokes, stay for the cast, the creatures, and the mystery that ties them all together!
Atomic Robo
Brian Clevinger, Scott Wegener
The robot punches monsters and bad robots and one time he was a cowboy.
Lighter Than Heir
Melissa Albino
A young Volant woman joins the military in an effort to upstage her war-hero father.
Empowered
Adam Warren
A sexy superhero comedy (except when it isn't) about the never-ending struggles of a plucky but very unlucky young superheroine.
Alice and the Nightmare
Misha Krivanek
Alice finally attends University to learn to collect the dreams of humans, meet new friends, and deal with a pesky reflection along the way.
Lilith's Word
inkPangur
If you had the power to make any wish come true using just one word, what would you say?
BOOKMARK
Click "Tag Page" to bookmark a page. When you return to the site, click "Goto Tag" to continue where you left off.
Goto TagClear Tag


BUFFER WATCH Comics are currently drawn and uploaded through:

July 1, 2026

Terms

by David M Willis on March 24, 2014 at 12:01 am
  • 02 - I Was a Teenage Churchmouse
└ Tags: amber, dina, ruth

Discussion (173) ¬

[ Comments RSS ]
  1. Jen Aside
    Jen Aside
    March 24, 2014 at 12:01 am | #

    “Should I be making a =D or D= face?”

    • berober
      berober
      March 24, 2014 at 12:03 am | #

      =Dina?

      • rachel
        rachel
        March 24, 2014 at 12:04 am | #

        yaaaaaaaaaaay

        • Mr. Random
          Mr. Random
          March 24, 2014 at 12:07 am | #

          Appropriate Kermit flailing.

          • Dante
            Dante
            March 24, 2014 at 10:47 am | #

            http://i.imgur.com/07GHrh2.gif

  2. Opus the Poet
    Opus the Poet
    March 24, 2014 at 12:01 am | #

    Dina never change.

    • Doctor_Who
      Doctor_Who
      March 24, 2014 at 12:02 am | #

      On the contrary, she changed quite quickly between panels.

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      March 24, 2014 at 12:13 am | #

      But then her clothes will get dirty. Noone wants a stinky Dina.

      • Khrene
        Khrene
        March 24, 2014 at 12:31 am | #

        I can say with confidence that there are people are into that, solely based on the fact that I’ve seen people who are into weirder and even more oddly specific stuff than that.

  3. Mr. Random
    Mr. Random
    March 24, 2014 at 12:01 am | #

    so, Dina’s Batman then?

    • Questionor
      Questionor
      March 24, 2014 at 12:06 am | #

      Dina is Alfred!

      • Plasma Mongoose
        Plasma Mongoose
        March 24, 2014 at 12:11 am | #

        Considering how quickly she changed in and out of the Amazi-suit, Dina is more likely the Flash.

        • Jen Aside
          Jen Aside
          March 24, 2014 at 12:22 am | #

          It’s a tearaway suit

          • Plasma Mongoose
            Plasma Mongoose
            March 24, 2014 at 12:47 am | #

            Like a stripper’s costume? OH MY!

            • MichaelHaneline
              MichaelHaneline
              March 24, 2014 at 8:43 pm | #

              So, the Flasher then.

        • Rutee
          Rutee
          March 24, 2014 at 4:17 am | #

          Its just really big on her

      • Sheller153
        Sheller153
        March 24, 2014 at 7:38 pm | #

        Dina Pennyworth at your service Mistress Amber, shall I prepare the Amazemobile?

        • Rheinman
          Rheinman
          March 24, 2014 at 8:30 pm | #

          That would be… Amazing!

      • BrokenEye, True False Prophet
        BrokenEye, True False Prophet
        September 25, 2015 at 5:29 am | #

        Well of course she is. Because Alfred is Batman.

  4. Cragalanch
    Cragalanch
    March 24, 2014 at 12:02 am | #

    Dina: Master of the quick-change

    • Totz the Plaid
      Totz the Plaid
      March 24, 2014 at 12:06 am | #

      Potentially, she hadn’t even zipped up the suit, so she could just slip her arms out the sleeves and let it drop off her.

    • David
      David
      March 24, 2014 at 9:14 am | #

      She just switched the holo off again.

  5. they gon bang
    they gon bang
    March 24, 2014 at 12:02 am | #

    they gon bang

    • EvilPenguin
      EvilPenguin
      March 24, 2014 at 12:02 am | #

      i got so excited for that comment i put it in my name slot by accident

      • Opus the Poet
        Opus the Poet
        March 24, 2014 at 12:43 am | #

        Well, yes. But who is banging whom. There are many ships in the Dumbiverse

      • Shadow12000
        Shadow12000
        March 24, 2014 at 1:21 am | #

        I thought there was literally a commenter named “They gon bang” too. I’m disappointed.

        • they gon bang
          they gon bang
          March 24, 2014 at 2:58 pm | #

          there is now!

          • Perfect Gravatar
            Perfect Gravatar
            March 24, 2014 at 6:30 pm | #

            Perfect gravatar

      • Darth Cariss
        Darth Cariss
        March 24, 2014 at 3:06 am | #

        That is a pretty great name.

        • Ocbrad1
          Ocbrad1
          March 24, 2014 at 9:28 am | #

          Especially for this crowd of shippers!

  6. David Herbert
    David Herbert
    March 24, 2014 at 12:02 am | #

    “Your eyes indicate you are insecure about your position of power. Do you also dress up as a superhero?”

    • AgentKeen
      AgentKeen
      March 24, 2014 at 12:03 am | #

      “You have a symbol on your chest. Are you a superhero right now?”

      • Ivan
        Ivan
        March 24, 2014 at 12:08 am | #

        They have the pussy. They know they have Super-Powers.

        • Opus the Poet
          Opus the Poet
          March 24, 2014 at 12:47 am | #

          But it does not appear that any of them have “The Most Common Female Superpower”.

          • Beige
            Beige
            March 24, 2014 at 6:59 am | #

            ummmmm, take another look at Amber’s torso for me 😉

          • David
            David
            March 24, 2014 at 9:16 am | #

            Take hours to dress?

  7. Vile Gamer
    Vile Gamer
    March 24, 2014 at 12:03 am | #

    I wonder what’s on Ruth’s mind?

    • Opus the Poet
      Opus the Poet
      March 24, 2014 at 12:20 am | #

      That Amber’s father is probably a sociopath who gets physically violent with women, and wanted to tell Amber not to expect any more visits from him on campus, legal visits at any rate.

      • Opus the Poet
        Opus the Poet
        March 24, 2014 at 12:41 am | #

        …and SHE wanted to tell…

    • Beachfox
      Beachfox
      March 24, 2014 at 12:37 am | #

      Probably finally going through on that “I need to tell that Amber girl that her dad’s been trying to get back onto campus but security’s been chasing him off.” thing she mentioned a few days/a year ago (in-comic/IRL time).

      Because Ruth is all about the timely information.

    • tinfoil theory
      tinfoil theory
      March 24, 2014 at 4:01 am | #

      That Amber is surprisingly difficult to get a hold of for a WoW-addicted shut-in.

    • begbert2
      begbert2
      March 24, 2014 at 10:02 am | #

      Possibly that conversation she wanted to have when a distraught Amber was in a stairwell.

    • gypsyreborn
      gypsyreborn
      March 24, 2014 at 10:28 am | #

      is ruth “The Boshy”? her shirt says she is.

  8. Doctor_Who
    Doctor_Who
    March 24, 2014 at 12:03 am | #

    Dina knows no fear. Is she looks scared, she’s only humoring you.

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      March 24, 2014 at 12:14 am | #

      Why would a dinosaur fear feeble man?

      • tinfoil theory
        tinfoil theory
        March 24, 2014 at 4:24 am | #

        Because dinosaurs taste like chicken.

        • Fred Garber
          Fred Garber
          March 24, 2014 at 8:28 pm | #

          And velociraptors are about the same size….

    • Ivan
      Ivan
      March 24, 2014 at 11:24 am | #

      Knowing no fear is a feature of Borderline Personality Disorder and other mental/social dysfunction.

      • HMRC4EVR
        HMRC4EVR
        March 24, 2014 at 12:42 pm | #

        Doesn’t hurt if you’re trying to get into the Green Lantern Corps.

  9. The Meek Ninja
    The Meek Ninja
    March 24, 2014 at 12:03 am | #

    Nobody intimidates Dina when the “Raptor” is on her side!

  10. Fen_Star
    Fen_Star
    March 24, 2014 at 12:04 am | #

    Come on Ruth, she is trying to accomadate you. You don’t have to act like that.

    • Plasma Mongoose
      Plasma Mongoose
      March 24, 2014 at 12:06 am | #

      Dina’s lack of true fear disturbs Ruth greatly.

      • jeffepp
        jeffepp
        March 24, 2014 at 12:34 am | #

        This

        • Gravissime
          Gravissime
          March 24, 2014 at 7:58 am | #

          “she’s weird! she’s weird!” *Sharks rapidly jump back into the water and run away*

          • N0083rP00F
            N0083rP00F
            March 24, 2014 at 11:46 am | #

            Dragons freeze in mid person squishing stomp, get very creeped out, and then back away with all due haste.

          • John
            John
            March 24, 2014 at 8:30 pm | #

            Freshwater sharks can swim up the Ohio River into Indiana.

  11. Flimsyfishy
    Flimsyfishy
    March 24, 2014 at 12:04 am | #

    Still hoping for Amazi-Girl and her sidekick Dinasaurus to happen sometime.

    • newllend
      newllend
      March 24, 2014 at 12:34 am | #

      Soon my friend, soon.

    • MiraiKira
      MiraiKira
      March 24, 2014 at 2:18 pm | #

      I deduce Dina has raptor powers, presumably from being bitten by a radioactive raptor, I know this because if xkcd has taught me anything, it is that raptors know no fear.

  12. Wonder Wig
    Wonder Wig
    March 24, 2014 at 12:04 am | #

    If Dina had her brain downloaded to a computer she would be EDI.

    • Doctor_Who
      Doctor_Who
      March 24, 2014 at 12:05 am | #

      Unless she goes nuts and becomes Glad0s.

    • Jason
      Jason
      March 24, 2014 at 5:07 am | #

      Great, now her every line shall sound like EDI to me and I shall forever be disappointed when she does not say “…that was a joke.”

      You may have ruined either EDI or Dina for me, I’m not sure which, and I’m not sure how upset I should be.

  13. Plasma Mongoose
    Plasma Mongoose
    March 24, 2014 at 12:05 am | #

    “I have no fear, for fear is the little death that kills me over and over. Without fear, I die but once.”

    • Ancestral Hamster
      Ancestral Hamster
      March 24, 2014 at 2:01 am | #

      Bene Gesserit witch!


      It is by will alone I set my mind in motion.
      It is by the juice of Sapho that thoughts acquire speed,
      the lips acquire stains, stains become a warning.
      It is by will alone I set this mind in motion.

      • tinfoil theory
        tinfoil theory
        March 24, 2014 at 4:00 am | #

        I thought it was the juice of Sappho?

        • Smartass
          Smartass
          March 24, 2014 at 7:03 am | #

          In doubt, use oranges.

      • ThemSapphicVibes
        ThemSapphicVibes
        March 24, 2014 at 11:18 pm | #

        mmm… I’d be all over the juices of Sappho….

        • Mally
          Mally
          July 24, 2015 at 7:30 am | #

          That gravatar is perfect.

  14. Idon'tcarenomore
    Idon'tcarenomore
    March 24, 2014 at 12:05 am | #

    Ah yeah!. Gotta doubt just how ‘terrified she really is.
    Go Dina….cutest thing there is in the comic.

  15. Patrick
    Patrick
    March 24, 2014 at 12:05 am | #

    Dude what the hell didn’t realize that Dina was Deluxe class and Ruth was Voyager class. Where is the scale chart.

  16. Count Dracula
    Count Dracula
    March 24, 2014 at 12:05 am | #

    Without context, it can sometimes be difficult to remember that Dina and Amber are both really freaking short. I’m not sure if that’s interesting or not, but it’s what I’m taking away from this strip.

    • Jay Eff
      Jay Eff
      March 24, 2014 at 12:14 am | #

      RUTH (to Dina): “You will address me as Your Tallness.”

      • Yotomoe
        Yotomoe
        March 24, 2014 at 12:16 am | #

        The Talless hate Invader Dina so they sent her to Indiana U.

        • Jay Eff
          Jay Eff
          March 24, 2014 at 12:20 am | #

          So that hat is her “Gir,” I take it?

          • Doctor_Who
            Doctor_Who
            March 24, 2014 at 12:23 am | #

            No, the hat IS Dina. She comes from a species of sentient parasitic hats. They are like Yeerks, but more adorable.

            She descended upon a random teenage girl, and is using her as a host.

            …Come to think of it, I believe that was the exact plot of an episode of Darkwing Duck.

            • vlademir1
              vlademir1
              March 24, 2014 at 3:36 am | #

              It may have been… been many a year, but that sounds familiar in that context.

              *engages in film hacker stereotype typing sequence*

              OK yeah, per the wiki they were known as “The Brainteasers”. [a href=”http://darkwingduck.wikia.com/wiki/The_Brainteasers”]Link[/a]

              • Osaru Sensei
                Osaru Sensei
                March 24, 2014 at 4:52 am | #

                Like so?

  17. Super Duper
    Super Duper
    March 24, 2014 at 12:08 am | #

    Glad to know that Ruth still enjoys being the Matron Mother Malice Do’Urden of this strip.

    • fudo81
      fudo81
      March 24, 2014 at 6:09 am | #

      Who’s Drizzt then?

  18. Yotomoe
    Yotomoe
    March 24, 2014 at 12:08 am | #

    This concept…This…”fear”… What is?

  19. JessWitt
    JessWitt
    March 24, 2014 at 12:08 am | #

    It’s interesting to see Ruth be so concerned and scary at the same time. Who else can pull that off?

  20. Plasma Mongoose
    Plasma Mongoose
    March 24, 2014 at 12:09 am | #

    Don’t know why flying makes you think that you could die Willis, especially since riding in a car is way more likely to kill ya.

    • saltchocolate
      saltchocolate
      March 24, 2014 at 12:17 am | #

      And anyway, don’t even joke about that, Willis!

      • Plasma Mongoose
        Plasma Mongoose
        March 24, 2014 at 12:19 am | #

        Maybe he sees himself as the Buddy Holly of webcomics. *shrugs*

        • RK
          RK
          March 24, 2014 at 12:37 am | #

          Pretty sure Willis is over 27 though.

          • Ancestral Hamster
            Ancestral Hamster
            March 24, 2014 at 2:03 am | #

            It’s okay as long as he doesn’t get into a plane with another two webcomic artists. Then, and only then, will we have “The Day the Intrawebs died”.

            • Reltzik
              Reltzik
              March 24, 2014 at 3:10 am | #

              Drove my browser to the website but the website was dry. Them comment threads were shipping Zoe and Di… and they’ll be doing it ’til the day that I die… doing it ’til the day that I die…

              • Ancestral Hamster
                Ancestral Hamster
                March 24, 2014 at 3:16 am | #

                Ah, “American Pie”, so to speak. Two thumbs up.

      • Reltzik
        Reltzik
        March 24, 2014 at 3:12 am | #

        …. you do realize that telling Willis not to joke about it ensures that he will joke about it more.

        …. How many levels of…

        … okay, are you using an EVEN or ODD number of levels of reverse psychology?

        • Ancestral Hamster
          Ancestral Hamster
          March 24, 2014 at 3:17 am | #

          “Never bet against a Sicilian when death is on the line!”

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      March 24, 2014 at 12:18 am | #

      Or just being in the kitchen.

      • tinfoil theory
        tinfoil theory
        March 24, 2014 at 4:05 am | #

        Most people die in bed.

    • MarcinMN
      MarcinMN
      March 24, 2014 at 12:19 am | #

      If he does die though, I certainly hope he has someone lined up to at least post the rest of the comic buffer. The last strip before the plane doesn’t have to be the last! 😉

      • David Willis
        David M Willis
        March 24, 2014 at 12:39 am | #

        The buffer is automated. I have strips uploaded through the date seen on the site.

        • Opus the Poet
          Opus the Poet
          March 24, 2014 at 12:45 am | #

          Yay! A legacy! (However brief it may be)

          • Kernanator
            Kernanator
            March 24, 2014 at 11:45 am | #

            “Brief” is not a word most people would use to describe Willis’ buffer.

    • Blue Dragon
      Blue Dragon
      March 24, 2014 at 3:18 am | #

      He probably has to travel to and from the airport in a car. He didn’t specify what kind of vehicle he might be in should this event occur. Two car trips plus a plane trip are potentially over twice as likely for a crash to occur than just one car trip.

  21. Joe
    Joe
    March 24, 2014 at 12:10 am | #

    Dina’s true superpower has been revealed:
    She literally knows no fear.

    • Plasma Mongoose
      Plasma Mongoose
      March 24, 2014 at 12:13 am | #

      It’s an even better power than Immune To Criticism.

    • Jay Eff
      Jay Eff
      March 24, 2014 at 12:16 am | #

      I suspect Dina does know fear.
      She just isn’t afraid of what other people think she ought to be..

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      March 24, 2014 at 12:18 am | #

      Is that a superpower or a disability?

      • Opus the Poet
        Opus the Poet
        March 24, 2014 at 12:22 am | #

        Well for DareDevil it was part of his superpower suite.

        • begbert2
          begbert2
          March 24, 2014 at 10:08 am | #

          And Green Lantern. You know, before the movie.

    • Stephen Bierce
      Stephen Bierce
      March 24, 2014 at 12:27 am | #

      We don’t know the meaning of ‘fear’
      We play every moment by ear
      One for all and all for one
      Everybody’s on the run
      Especially at this time of year!
      –Paul McCartney, “Spies Like Us”

      • Jonathan S.
        Jonathan S.
        March 24, 2014 at 1:38 am | #

        “Groo does not know the meaning of the word ‘fear’! Also the words ‘prevaricate’, ‘mendicant’, and ‘mulch’.”

        • Ancestral Hamster
          Ancestral Hamster
          March 24, 2014 at 2:04 am | #

          “There’s no such word as ‘fear” in auto racing!”
          – Tom Slick –

          • N0083rP00F
            N0083rP00F
            March 24, 2014 at 1:59 pm | #

            Also the vikings, some Romans and a few gauls didn’t know the meaning of the word – well – that is until Cacofonix begins his Bardic ways.

            • 3oranges
              3oranges
              March 24, 2014 at 5:17 pm | #

              Nobody knew the meaning of the word “fear” until the Medieval English, but “terror” goes back to the Romans.

            • dralou
              dralou
              March 24, 2014 at 6:37 pm | #

              …An Asterix reference, here ?!?

              So, the bard is called Cacofonix in English… It sure is appropriate.

    • Jake
      Jake
      March 24, 2014 at 2:04 am | #

      She is a kender.

      • John
        John
        March 24, 2014 at 6:11 am | #

        Impossible. Committing genocide against Dina is not a moral imperative.

      • Ocbrad1
        Ocbrad1
        March 24, 2014 at 9:32 am | #

        Ahhh, I thought I sensed some Tasslehoff in her.

  22. Tainnryst
    Tainnryst
    March 24, 2014 at 12:12 am | #

    Daaaang. Ruth is taaaall. No wait we’re talking about Dina and Amber here. Yeah Ruth is average. The company is short.

  23. GoogerGeiger
    GoogerGeiger
    March 24, 2014 at 12:12 am | #

    I was kind of expecting Ruth to have gone full relapsed alcoholic by now.

    • newllend
      newllend
      March 24, 2014 at 12:35 am | #

      And throw all that work down the drain? No way.

  24. Bunivasal
    Bunivasal
    March 24, 2014 at 12:12 am | #

    Dina is not afraid, but given Ruth’s violent, unpredictable temper, sher lack of fear underscores her disability interpreting other humans and their motivations. Or identifies her as a cold blooded badass.

    • tinfoil theory
      tinfoil theory
      March 24, 2014 at 4:14 am | #

      She is a ninja. She has faced and defeated worse than a femurectomy.

  25. MM
    MM
    March 24, 2014 at 12:12 am | #

    No regrets, Willis. (Besides, this one’s got Dina, so you’re covered.)

  26. Sam
    Sam
    March 24, 2014 at 12:14 am | #

    Oh right, Ruth still didn’t tell her about Blaine’s attempt to sneak in that one night.

  27. Kernanator
    Kernanator
    March 24, 2014 at 12:16 am | #

    Dinadevil: The Girl Without Fear

    • Dean
      Dean
      March 24, 2014 at 1:27 am | #

      No, no it’s DinaDevil Dinosaur. Maybe Danny can be Moon-Boy.

      • N0083rP00F
        N0083rP00F
        March 24, 2014 at 2:01 pm | #

        Danny Moon Moon – I love my memes XD

    • ninja_jesus
      ninja_jesus
      March 24, 2014 at 7:50 am | #

      I kinda like DiNA, pronounced “DNA”.

  28. Xerxes93
    Xerxes93
    March 24, 2014 at 12:24 am | #

    shouldn’t Dina be in like, class or something?

    • Doctor_Who
      Doctor_Who
      March 24, 2014 at 12:28 am | #

      I was about to say we’ve never seen her in class, but I guess there was that one time she got back Walky’s math notes.

      Or maybe she’s in class every day, but we never see her because she’s behind the door.

    • MrMyerst
      MrMyerst
      March 24, 2014 at 12:58 am | #

      My guess is, given what we know about Dina, she gets bored (maybe frustrated) with the slow pace of class, and goes off to learn on her own.
      I imagine, and will state it as fact even though I have no evidence, that she only goes to class to:

      1- Observe the traditional educational environment
      2- Observe people

      This is all conjecture, but…

  29. newllend
    newllend
    March 24, 2014 at 12:29 am | #

    I see Ruth now a days in the same way I see She Hulk or wonder woman, a powerful women to be feard but the nature they have kind of makes her less intimodateing, only when she wants to be.

    • Chase
      Chase
      March 24, 2014 at 12:35 am | #

      Ahhhh! Grammar.

  30. Plasma Mongoose
    Plasma Mongoose
    March 24, 2014 at 12:29 am | #

    …and the last panel sinks any plans for the RS Runa/Dith.

    • Rutee
      Rutee
      March 24, 2014 at 4:20 am | #

      Oh ye of little faith. I can already see how that would work out~

  31. seeprybyrun
    seeprybyrun
    March 24, 2014 at 1:03 am | #

    Anyone else read Dina in Starfire’s voice?

    • Jaxx Sentinel
      Jaxx Sentinel
      March 24, 2014 at 4:09 am | #

      And now I’m hearing it

    • N0083rP00F
      N0083rP00F
      March 24, 2014 at 2:06 pm | #

      Always did though I tried to hear it in Ravens voice and got a headache. Then I tried Jinx but it kept slipping back to starfire.

  32. Darwin
    Darwin
    March 24, 2014 at 1:05 am | #

    The cheerful expression on Dina’s face just kills me.

  33. Pyr05
    Pyr05
    March 24, 2014 at 1:12 am | #

    Dina’s not afraid of NAAAUUTHHINNN’!

    • Jerden
      Jerden
      March 24, 2014 at 2:20 pm | #

      But she can try her best to pretend, if it makes you feel better.

  34. JoeMerl
    JoeMerl
    March 24, 2014 at 1:16 am | #

    “I once skinned a dinosaur and made it into this hat. As of that moment, I fear nothing but human social interaction.”

  35. Valdrax
    Valdrax
    March 24, 2014 at 1:52 am | #

    Now, why would Ruth be so hostile to Dina. What was the last time they were in the same strip toge—

    Ohhhhhhhhh. That’s why.

    • David
      David
      March 24, 2014 at 9:23 am | #

      Huh. It would appear that the current strip is not the first time that Dina has been raiding Amber’s prop closet.

  36. TheOtherDibbler
    TheOtherDibbler
    March 24, 2014 at 1:53 am | #

    Well, Ruth doesn’t seem like she heard/registered what Amber just said, so she might get away with it.

  37. IncadescentFlame
    IncadescentFlame
    March 24, 2014 at 2:21 am | #

    This sounds like a hint that is supposed to be taken. May I have the hint now? I believe I should show it to others as proof that I am adjusting.

  38. Baker
    Baker
    March 24, 2014 at 2:36 am | #

    Or in case your plane goes somewhere it shouldn’t and disappears.

  39. caesaria82
    caesaria82
    March 24, 2014 at 2:38 am | #

    I love everything about this strip, but I think I love Dina’s quick-change skills the most.

    • Al Schroeder
      Al Schroeder
      March 24, 2014 at 9:48 am | #

      She could become her own superheroine—Dinosaur Damsal, perhpas.

  40. Bane
    Bane
    March 24, 2014 at 2:47 am | #

    Now was not the time for fear, that comes later

  41. Bane
    Bane
    March 24, 2014 at 2:48 am | #

    How do you change the picture? I have not been able to learn this.

  42. Yotomoe
    Yotomoe
    March 24, 2014 at 2:57 am | #

    I’m here to make one of your many clones Jealous. Not the blonde one, but the Asian one.

    • Rutee
      Rutee
      March 24, 2014 at 6:00 am | #

      Willis knows what fear is. He simply chooses to ignore it; see: Him siccing Homestuck fans on Spike so and so (My memory for names is awful)

  43. ninja_jesus
    ninja_jesus
    March 24, 2014 at 3:06 am | #

    R.I.P. David Willis

    He got out.

  44. Rutee
    Rutee
    March 24, 2014 at 6:00 am | #

    Oh Ruth. You’re kind of cute reacting to someone who isn’t helping you cope. Dina, of course, is always incredibly adorable.

    • Rutee
      Rutee
      March 24, 2014 at 6:07 am | #

      Ah, crap. I just realized this is the point in the story where Amber and Ruth will echo Danny and Billie, but Willis being Willis, Ruth will become more furious when the reminder is brought up, and thus veer the ship further back into the storm.

  45. Arturo
    Arturo
    March 24, 2014 at 6:46 am | #

    Mmm, I’m starting worry Dina’s autism is being used a little too heavily as a character novelty without ever really getting to know the actual person.

    • ninja_jesus
      ninja_jesus
      March 24, 2014 at 7:42 am | #

      It hasn’t been established that Dina has autism, so saying that autism is being used as a “character novelty” is inaccurate. It’s true that we have no real backstory on her right now, and I’m really looking forward to seeing it, but for now, I think that it’s best not to claim that Dina has any specific disorder until Willis explains it in the comic. All we can really say for certain is that Dina is very socially impaired and is a big fan of dinosaurs.

      • Al Schroeder
        Al Schroeder
        March 24, 2014 at 9:47 am | #

        Yeah, as the father of two autistic sons, I’d really not have Dina formally diagnosed with that–granted mine were on the far end of the autism spectrum (totally nonverbal) still I’d rather not she be formally diagnosed with anything save PERHAPS Asperger’s. She’s socially clueless and obsessed with dinosaurs. Either could be a sign of Aspy’s, but not necessarily so.

    • begbert2
      begbert2
      March 24, 2014 at 10:16 am | #

      At this point it’s less character novelty and more character *consistency*: this is the way Dina is and this is how she’ll act unless presented with a stimulus that prompts a different response. You know, like a creationist or something.

  46. Jimmy
    Jimmy
    March 24, 2014 at 6:52 am | #

    I may have missed this discussion in prior strips but do we know exactly how tall Ruth is? She seems to tower over almost everyone.

    • BlackIo
      BlackIo
      March 24, 2014 at 4:53 pm | #

      Walkypedia says 5’7″.

      • David Willis
        David M Willis
        March 24, 2014 at 6:02 pm | #

        Dumbing of Age Ruth is a bit taller than that. Dumbiverse Billie’s 5’7″ and Ruth is taller than Billie.

  47. ZORK
    ZORK
    March 24, 2014 at 7:46 am | #

    Man, that’s quite an eerie alt text.

    Also, Dina is awesome again.

  48. Yarrr
    Yarrr
    March 24, 2014 at 7:52 am | #

    DIna: You don’t scare me bongo.

    • N0083rP00F
      N0083rP00F
      March 24, 2014 at 2:11 pm | #

      No No No… It’s … “You don’t scare me mammal.

  49. NF
    NF
    March 24, 2014 at 8:25 am | #

    Dina is a dinosaur-loving ninja.

  50. maarvarq
    maarvarq
    March 24, 2014 at 8:36 am | #

    Dina shows that, in her own quiet way, she’s kind of a badass.

    • David
      David
      March 24, 2014 at 9:26 am | #

      The real offense is not her being badass but rather her being helpful.

  51. Jerden
    Jerden
    March 24, 2014 at 2:22 pm | #

    Dina’s learning the importance of pretending to be a normal human being, in order to reassure the people around her.
    And really, does anyone do any more that?

  52. Quiwi
    Quiwi
    March 24, 2014 at 2:50 pm | #

    I just finished reading the ol’ walkyverse comics. Dunno what to say, except DAMN YOU WILLIS!

  53. nothri
    nothri
    March 24, 2014 at 3:24 pm | #

    Ruth, as badass as I think you are, I sincerely doubt your ability to follow through on any threats made towards someone as totally unobtrusive and harmless as Dina. While you have no compunctions about handing an asshat his own butt or getting rather “insistent” that rules be followed, I have yet to see you actively bully or harrass someone who didn’t fall into those categories.

    ….At least no one you weren’t secretly hoping to bone.

  54. CianM1301
    CianM1301
    March 24, 2014 at 4:21 pm | #

    Wow, Dina gets changed fast.

  55. Tealjoy
    Tealjoy
    March 24, 2014 at 6:34 pm | #

    Dina is a superhero all her own, she changed in a flash.

  56. bob99938
    bob99938
    March 24, 2014 at 9:15 pm | #

    Welp, this is bad. Potentially

    • John
      John
      March 24, 2014 at 11:02 pm | #

      I think good is more likely, if they can actually open up to each other. Amber and Ruth have a lot in common, and I think they’d both benefit from a chat. And I doubt Ruth has any particular desire to get Amber in trouble for any of the stuff she’s done, nor do I think she feels any real obligation to do so just because it might be her job.

      Of course, speculating that anything would be good around here always makes me imagine Willis rubbing his hands together and chortling in evil glee at my naïvety as he reads the comments.

  57. Sergei Andropov
    Sergei Andropov
    March 24, 2014 at 11:10 pm | #

    I see dead people. We need Mike to get in on this.

  58. Francesca
    Francesca
    July 18, 2014 at 6:39 am | #

    I think Dina is the bad-assest of them all.

CHOOSE A SIDE, NO COWARDS

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...
  • Polls Archive
CONVENTION APPEARANCES


September 13/14, 2025 - Small Press Expo in Bethesda, Maryland

©2010-2025 Dumbing of Age | Powered by WordPress with ComicPress | Subscribe: RSS | Privacy Policy | Back to Top ↑